The 67th Annual Park Forest Art Fair Features Local Talent

Tall Grass Art Association presented the 67th Annual Art Fair in downtown Park Forest, Illinois Saturday, September 16 through Sunday, Sept. 17. This yearly event highlights Chicago and suburban artists from every medium.

The art ranged from metal and bronze designs to fine art, photography, warm-fused glass, jewelry and gems, sculpture, millinery and other fiber art. We strolled along Main Street yesterday enjoying the live music provided by Music Festival artists, Dave Rudolph and Park N Ride. Sunday featured additional bands.

Each artist displayed their work under white tents and art stands that dotted the long street. Each stand held art bursting with color. We browsed antiqued jeweled rings, bronze yard art, and we found a variety of interesting mediums. A few artists had time to talk to us due to having someone with them. A partner who knows your work and can field sales, allows the artist to meet his/her public. Lone artists were, many times, held captive while potential buyers walked away.

Artist Cheryl Osby’s husband beckoned us over when he saw me exclaiming over her pink ballerina from across the street. The bold painting was the focal point of her gallery wall, and he insisted I come over and take a closer look. I commented on the superb hype man she’d brought with her, before realization hit. Cheryl and I had been colleagues at a high school many years ago. My only regret is that I didn’t get the story behind my pink ballerina which I’ve named her. I did snag a print of this awesome painting.

Art From The Heart

​Artist Mona Lia Jackson brought samples from her online art gallery. Her personally handdrawn creations are available for you to order! Prints come framed, and in three sizes. She updates her collections with original art, regularly. 

Lia, full name Mona Lia Jackson, can be found at monaliamasterpieces.com, or you may follow her on Instagram at _Mona Lia_ and find her on YouTube at MONALIASTYLES. See samples of my two favorite pieces below.

https://www.monaliamasterpieces.com.

Textile and Wood

With over 20 church hats and dozens of bucket hats and caps in my possession, you might call me a hat connoisseur. When I wear hats for a short while, I take them off because they’re too tight. Vina’s Millinery tent exhibited exceptional styles, and I was tempted. Luckily, the artist was deeply engaged in conversation with a patron, and hubby, very familiar with my hat history, took the time to question my purchase. Melvina Stemley’s tagline states, Creating Art From My Heart. We can find this Fiber Artist on Facebook and Instagram.

Artist Thomas Tampa learned the craft of woodworking more than 25 years ago. His boards were works of art. He uses a wood inlay process that allows the beauty of natural hardwood colors to come alive. Tampa specializes in creating handcrafted charcuterie boards made for the kitchen. Please visit him and see his fine work at https://thomastampa.net/the-shop

Hubby had a great time. Not only was it his eye artist Thomas Tampa’s Charcuterie boards caught, but he discovered African and Jazz images that spoke to the theme in his man cave.

Ah, . . . but there’s more.

All Out Smoke Pit was celebrating its Grand Opening right in the midst of the art fair. There’s an art to grilling as Carter often reminds me. The fragrant barbeque enticed us over, but the line was out the door. As hubby is lovingly referred to as Chef in our family, he managed to get a shot next to a “real” pit and smoker.

This was a great way to spend Saturday and if I start saving my pennies, now, maybe next year, I can invest in a couple of quality pieces for my legacy.